History, analysis, and unabashed gossip about the start of the American Revolution in Massachusetts.

J. L. BELL is a Massachusetts writer who specializes in (among other things) the start of the American Revolution in and around Boston. He is particularly interested in the experiences of children in 1765-75. He has published scholarly papers and popular articles for both children and adults. He was consultant for an episode of History Detectives, and contributed to a display at Minute Man National Historic Park.

Daigler is a retired career C.I.A. operations officer who also served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has degrees in history from Centre College of Kentucky and the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. He’s written articles about intelligence for the C.I.A. Historical Division’s journal Studies in Intelligence and other publications.

The lecture description says:

Daigler will provide insight into clandestine activities during the Revolutionary War from an intelligence professional’s perspective. The talk will highlight the tradecraft of intelligence collection, counterintelligence, and covert actions, relating how many of the principles of the era’s intelligence practice are still relevant today. Daigler includes famous personalities such as Samuel Adams, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Nathan Hale, John Jay, and Benedict Arnold, as well as a few Marblehead figures in his analysis.

This book’s table of contents suggests it explores intelligence-gathering in the decade before the Revolutionary War, as well as while the fighting was going on.

This talk will take place at the Old Town House in Marblehead, starting at 7:30 P.M. Admission to the lecture is $10, and a book signing and reception will follow.